His Majesty the King meets cancer patients in York ahead of new Macmillan Centre opening

Today, His Majesty The King, Royal Patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, visited York Hospital, ahead of the opening in July of its newly redeveloped Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Care Centre.

The King met people living with cancer for whom the centre had been a ‘lifeline’ during treatment and heard about their roles in shaping the new facility, including the services it will offer and its design, from the layout and the furniture, to the colour schemes and the artwork. Their insight has been critical in ensuring the centre offers a calming, welcoming space, which includes a tranquil garden, creating a homely environment where people can feel at ease. 

The King also greeted Macmillan Health Professionals and Cancer Nurse Specialists, who explained how the £2.4m redevelopment will support thousands of people living with cancer in the region each year by increasing community outreach and delivering more comprehensive care. His Majesty also visited the Centre’s purpose-built garden and planted a Macmillan Rose with Colm Gough, Macmillan Personalised Cancer Care Lead, who is part of the team there. 

Angie Lunt, from Riccall in York, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, was at today’s visit and was part of the community engagement group working with the Trust and Macmillan to develop plans said:

Lou Rhodes, from Hopgrove in York, who is living with stage 4 secondary breast cancer, was also at the visit today and was involved in the design and development of the Centre from the beginning, she said: 

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said:

“There isn’t fair access to good cancer care across the region, and this centre is a big step towards making support more accessible and fairer for everyone. The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre shows what’s possible when local communities are truly at the heart of shaping care. People with lived experience of cancer have helped design not just the services, but the feel of the space too, creating a space that’s welcoming, comfortable and built around what people with cancer actually need.

Clare Smith, Chief Executive, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“It was a real privilege to welcome His Majesty The King to York Hospital and to share the progress being made on our new Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Care Centre. 

Colm Gough, Macmillan Personalised Cancer Care Lead, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

The Trust serves urban centres such as York and Scarborough, alongside coastal towns, market towns, and remote rural communities with a higher-than-average older populations and greater levels of frailty and complex health needs.  The newly developed facility is expanding to provide better, fairer cancer care for everyone. It will be operated by the existing Cancer Wellbeing Support Service and provide greater access to information and support, helping people navigate their cancer treatment with confidence. 

The £2.4m refurbishment is being funded by Macmillan Cancer Support through generous public donations, including support from Lady Ogden and the Sir Robert Ogden Charitable Foundation and York and Scarborough Hospitals Charity, in partnership with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.